Arising over five thousand years ago, the roots of yoga are found in India. The ultimate purpose of yoga is to attain kaivalya, the experience of one’s innermost being or soul. The word yoga means to unite. Through its practice, the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of one’s being are united, leading one to live in a happy, balanced and meaningful way. To achieve this state of beatitude, yoga practitioners train the mind to move towards clarity and tranquility, enabling them to perceive their inner self. Practicing detachment from desires, yogis strive to free themselves from the mental turmoil created when the mind and consciousness are at the whim of the senses that constantly seek gratification.

There are many different ways to practice yoga. Iyenger Hatha Yoga is based on the Eight Limbs (astanga) of Yoga, as recorded by the sage Patanjali and made accessible by yoga master Sri B.K.S. Iyengar. The first two Limbs involve disciplines of personal behavior and social responsibility. These are something like the Ten Commandments. Through these practices, one creates a harmonious relationship with oneself and society, providing a foundation from which the consciousness is directed towards inner awareness.

Because the body can be easily felt and touched, a student new to yoga first focuses on the third Limb of learning the postures (asanas). The asanas are varied and unusual, mimicking the flora and fauna of nature, geometric shapes, or legendary sages and warriors. In class, one learns to stand as steady as a mountain. One learns to extend and stretch the limbs and axis of the spine, forming a human triangle. By focusing on physical alignment, the movement of the breath, and performing the actions of the posture which evenly extend awareness to all parts of the body, the mind becomes attentive yet quiet, moving from an external physical focus towards an internal awareness of the core of the being. Students learn that mastery of the body is the gateway to mastery of the mind.

The fourth Limb involves techniques of breathing by which the mind and breath are harnessed to open inner energy pathways (pranayama). These techniques are taught only once the practitioner has gained a steady foundation through asana practice and developed the ability to be still and relaxed.

The effects of the asanas and pranayama are positive and powerful. One gains physical and mental strength, flexibility, endurance and balance. To the casual observer, the postures may look merely physical, but practiced with fervor, sensitivity and devotion, they become vehicles to profound understanding of one’s inner self.

The final four Limbs are higher states of consciousness that evolve from successful practice of the previous Limbs. These are meditative states where one transcends the pull of the senses and becomes still, serene and self-aware, though not self-absorbed.

Mr. Iyengar is responsible for the renaissance of yoga. He has developed an inspired and innovative approach to classical practice. Through his own vigorous efforts, careful study of the earliest available texts, and instruction of thousands of students from all over of the world, he has reached back to the roots of yoga and brought forth a revitalization of this ancient art.

Iyenger Yoga is now available to all people of any age, irrespective of physical or mental condition. The Iyenger method includes the use, if needed, of various props that help people to overcome the limitations of the body and to work at their fullest capability. Other distinguishing features are the varied sequencing of postures to achieve different effects and the notion of timing or staying in the postures for lengths of time, so that the inner layers of one’s being, and not just the surface layers, are penetrated.

Yoga is timeless, fun and challenging. It stimulates an evolution of the individual through the twin disciplines of practice and detachment from desires. Like a tree, with our roots firmly planted in the earth, through devoted yoga practice, we grow and flourish under the light of knowledge of our inner self.